An epidemic of lawyers making AI-related mistakes in court filings, including errors in legal citations, is spurring law schools to teach responsible use of the technology, Bloomberg Law reports. For example, classes offered this fall at the University of Chicago Law School include “Generative AI in Legal Practice” and “Editing, Advocacy and AI,” while students at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School will have access to ChatGPT Edu in their legal writing classes. Yale Law School has a pro-bono legal clinic in which students train large language models about media law and learn its setbacks, limitations and practical uses.

Following a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia imposing remedies for Google’s unlawful monopolization in search and search advertising, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said his office would “work to ensure that consumers enjoy the benefit of meaningful competition in search markets.” The court decision prohibits Google from entering or maintaining exclusive contracts relating to the distribution of Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant and the Gemini app; directs Google to make certain search index and user-interaction data available to rivals and potential rivals; and orders Google to offer search and search text ads syndication services to enable rivals and potential rivals to compete. Skrmetti praised the ruling for bringing “transparency to advertisers so that consumers have real choices.” Tennessee joined a coalition to sue Google. The company previously was found to illegally dominate two markets for online advertising technology. Read more about the remedies from the DOJ. Read Skrmetti’s full statement.

The TBA YLD Rookie Series continues with a webcast on "Working with U.S. Magistrate Judges: Perspectives from East Tennessee" on Dec. 3 at 12 p.m. CST. Make plans now to join U.S. Magistrate Judges Mike Dumitru, Debra Poplin and Cynthia Wyrick for a panel moderated by TBA YLD Board member and East Tennessee CLE Chair Weslen Lakins. The judges will cover magistrate authority and consent in civil cases, and offer practical guidance on discovery referrals and dispute resolution, professionalism and courtroom/virtual etiquette, and written advocacy that resonates with the bench. To register and for more information visit the TBA website.

The September/October issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is available online and arriving in mailboxes next week! The cover story by Judge Zack Walden and Alix Rogers highlights the TBA Young Lawyers Division's inaugural Rural Judicial Fellowship, which paired six law students with six judges in rural areas across the state. Read feature stories from Amy Bryant on how well Tennessee is meeting recommendations from the National Guardianship Network and Hal Hardin on his fight for reciprocity to practice law in Texas. Columns include details from Edward Phillips and Brandon Morrow on how the state's civil rights enforcement landscape could be reshaped in the employment space, legislative changes that will affect tort and personal injury attorneys from John Day, and more changes in trusts and estates from Eddy Smith. Read TBA President Heidi Barcus' thoughts on servant leadership, a book review by a familiar name and about TBA's public service awards winners.

Following the news that three of the five former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the 2023 death of Tyré Nichols are getting a new federal trial, one of those men now wants to be released from federal custody. Demetrius Haley, who has been in custody since his conviction, now says he should be released. In a request to the court, his lawyer argues that Haley was “fully compliant” with his bond conditions prior to his conviction and is “neither a flight risk nor a danger to others.” In related news, attorneys for others charged in connection with Nichols’ death are arguing the former officers should not be retried on charges they previously were acquitted on. The Daily Memphian has more on both stories.

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Andy Holt to the position of commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He currently is the deputy commissioner, a role he was appointed to late last year. Holt previously spent 10 years as a state representative for House District 76 in West Tennessee. He will assume the role on Oct 1, replacing Charlie Hatcher, who is retiring after nearly seven years leading the department and more than 21 years working with the state. In making the announcement, Lee said, “Andy is a committed public servant who brings a personal understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Tennessee farmers. I’m grateful for his leadership and am confident he will serve Tennesseans with integrity by strengthening rural communities and supporting our agriculture industry.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti are appealing a recent court decision that abolished two laws imposing gun restrictions in Tennessee. Skrmetti said in a statement that the ruling will cause "unnecessary confusion and risk," according to the Associated Press. The lower court decision, made by a three-judge panel in late August, invalidated two Tennessee laws: one making it illegal to carry a gun in a park or a similar area without a permit to carry a handgun and one outlawing the offense of carrying a firearm "with the intent to go armed." According to The Tennessean, Skrmetti argued in a statement that the laws are constitutional in many situations. "For example, it’s obviously constitutional to prohibit a ten-year-old from bringing a semiautomatic rifle to a rec league basketball game or a drunk with a shotgun from staggering down Broadway or through Market Square or across Shelby Farms. But the Court’s ruling appears to legalize this in Tennessee. We look forward to the appellate courts providing clarity for citizens and law enforcement.”

Nashville’s Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC (GSRM Law) has named Billy Blackstone as its new managing partner. He replaces Phil Welty, who has served in the role for eight years. "It has been an honor to serve as GSRM Law’s managing member for the past eight years," Welty said. "I am confident that Billy’s leadership will position the firm for continued growth and new opportunities in the years ahead.” Blackstone has worked for the firm since 2023, and focuses his practice on tax, estate and business succession planning. The firm has offices in downtown Nashville and in Franklin. The Nashville Post reported the news.

Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the District 7 special congressional primary election to replace former Rep. Mark Green. The Oct. 7 primary election will determine which of four Democrats and 11 Republicans will represent their respective party in the Dec. 2 general election. Learn more about the candidates here. Visit https://ovr.govote.tn.gov to register to vote.

Federal immigration officials are making arrests from within Tennessee jails at a much higher rate than other states, WPLN reports. A new study from the Prison Policy Initiative ranks Tennessee second only to Texas in the number of people ICE picks up from jail. The data suggests more ICE agents in the state are relying on local police to carry out mass deportations. These arrests have been especially high in Knox County, where the number of people held for ICE jumped from six in January to nearly 50 in April.